{"id":22443,"date":"2022-05-17T18:14:07","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T22:14:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=22443"},"modified":"2022-05-17T18:14:07","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T22:14:07","slug":"bmw-3-series-sedan-facelift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=22443","title":{"rendered":"WORLD PREMIERE: BMW 3 Series Sedan Facelift — Sharp Dressed Sedan"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the last few years, the 3 Series has remained among the last bastions of normalcy in BMW\u2019s designs. While so many of BMW\u2019s cars featured obnoxiously large grilles and overly flamboyant designs\u2013never hallmarks of BMW design\u2013the G20 BMW 3 Series Facelift remained a simple, sporty, and handsome-looking car. Which is why I didn\u2019t blame any enthusiasts for fearing an LCI facelift might ruin the 3er\u2019s handsome good looks. Thankfully, any worries of beaver-tooth grilles can be laid to rest, as the newly facelift 3er is as sharp and handsome as ever.<\/p>\n

The Front-End Gets Better<\/h3>\n

Being a \u201cfacelift,\u201d most of the changes here happen up front. The G20 BMW 3 Series Facelift gets an entirely new grille, all-new headlights, and a new lower front fascia.\u00a0The first thing most of you will notice is the headlight change, though. The pre-LCI 3 Series was unique in the BMW lineup, with little notches in the undersides of its headlights.<\/p>\n

Those notches harkened back to the iconic E46 3 Series and gave the G20 quite a bit of character. Those same notches are now gone and the 3 Series\u2019 headlights look more like those from the 4 Series. Those headlights come full LED as-standard and with the brand\u2019s latest anti-dazzle technology. The grille is also slightly different, now a bit sharper and packing M-style double grille slats.<\/p>\n

Slimmer Headlights, No Laser Option<\/h3>\n

Beneath the new grille and headlights, much larger air intakes replace the old, smaller ones. This is probably the largest area of improvement. When the G20 3 Series first debuted, its M Sport front bumper was criticized for having too many lines that went in too many different directions. It was sort of a mess, especially around the foglights. But this new front fascia is more cohesive, crisper, and less fussy. Additionally, the sheer size of the air intakes, particularly the center one, makes the 3 Series Facelift look sportier and more aggressive.<\/p>\n

Out back, the 3 Series\u2019 taillights remain the same but that\u2019s not a bad thing; they still look very good. The rear bumper is different, though, and features a pseudo-diffuser in the middle. What\u2019s most interesting is what isn\u2019t there, actually. Most new M Performance models have received quad exhaust pipes, like proper M cars have always had, but the new BMW M340i does not. Instead, it sticks with the standard dual exhausts, which is more traditional.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0BMW M340i models feature distinctive design elements. Most notably, these include the\u00a0mesh-design BMW kidney grille, new 18-inch M double-spoke light alloy wheels or optional\u00a019-inch wheels, trapezoidal tailpipes, and an M rear spoiler painted in body color.\u00a0To mark the 50th anniversary of BMW M GmbH, the 2023 BMW M340i models will be offered\u00a0with the classic BMW Motorsport roundels on the hood, trunk, and wheel center caps.<\/p>\n

BMW also offers a few new colors to the 3 Series range. If you get the M Sport package, you can get Skyscraper Gray and M Brooklyn Gray. You can also get BMW Individual Frozen Pure Gray and Frozen Tanzanite Blue.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also now an M Sport Pro package, which comes with more black trim, black chrome exhaust tips, M Sport brakes with red calipers, a rear trunk spoiler, and M-colored stitching for the seatbelts.<\/p>\n

iDrive 8 and Large Touchscreen<\/h3>\n

With the LCI, the 3 Series gets some changes to the cabin as well. For the most part, the 3 Series Facelift gets the same interior as the BMW i4, with the same new iDrive 8 integration, the dual infotainment screen setup, and BMW\u2019s latest digital gauges. By now, most BMW fans are familiar with the look and layout of iDrive 8, having seen it on the iX and i4. But for those that don\u2019t know, the iDrive 8 system features a much larger touchscreen, climate controls integrated in to the main screen, and the updated digital gauges, which are most customizable than before.<\/p>\n

Unlike the i4, though, the new 3 Series ditches the old robot-leg shift lever for the iX\u2019s toggle switch. It\u2019s an interesting move because the i4 doesn\u2019t have it but it does make the interior feel more modern and less cluttered.<\/p>\n

A subtle update to the interior is one that does make a significant difference and that\u2019s the piece of dash trim that\u2019s now taller, more sculpted, and more premium looking than the pre-LCI\u2019s simpler piece of trim.<\/p>\n

48-volt Mild Hybrid Added<\/h3>\n

As far as engines go, all of them get subtle updates. Both six-cylinder engines, one gas and one diesel, get 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, as well as all four-cylinder diesel engines. The less powerful four-cylinder gasoline engines don\u2019t get 48-volt MHEV tech but the 330i\u2019s 2.0-liter turbo-four gets a new exhaust manifold that\u2019s integrated into the cylinder head, for improved exhaust cooling. However, there will be two new plug-in hybrid powertrains available.<\/p>\n

Here are the engine options and specifications:<\/p>\n